Flush valve operator



Nova 15, 1966) E. J. KOCOUR 2,959,980

FLUSH VALVE OPERATOR Filed Nov. 27. 1957 23 Fly. I h 5 INVENTOR. EM/L J. Kocow? 4 F g PARKER a CARTER A T'TOR/VEYS FLUSH VALVE OPERATOR Emil J. Kocour, Riverside, lli., amignor to Sloan Valve Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 27, 1957, Ser. No. 699,320

Claims. (Cl. 74--501) This invention relates in general to means for operating valves and more particularly to flush valves of the type used in connection with plumbing fixtures, and the principal object of the invention is to design a new and improved arrangement for operating such flush valves.

An object of the invention is to design a new and improved mechanism for operating flush valves from a remote point, for example from the floor near the plumbing fixture and at a distance from the flush valve itself.

A further object is to provide a new and improved foot button operated mechanism for operating a remotely located fiush valve in which a cable is provided for linking the mechanism with the flush valve.

Another object is to provide a foot button cable operated mechanism having means for preventing leakage and debris from coming in contact with the cable and thereby affecting its reliable operation.

Another object is to provide a new and improved foot button cable operated mechanism for actuating a flush valve from a remote location which is reliable in operation, is not affected by moisture conditions, is simple to operate, and is readily installed on any plumbing fixture.

Yet another object is to provide a longitudinally adjustable flush valve tripping mechanism for actuating a flush valve on a plumbing fixture from an actuating location remotely located from the flush valve.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of the various parts, the combination thereof, and the mode of operation, as will become apparent from the following description which together with the drawings, describes and illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a typical plumbing fixture equipped with the foot button operated mechanism of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional side elevation of the footbutton operating mechanism with the cable extending therefrom;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the operating mechanism and cable attached to the flush valve;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section of a modification of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3, while Fig. 5 is a plan view of the moisture sealing diaphragm.

A fiush valve operating arrangement as disclosed in the present invention is highly desirable in the interests of sanitation and greater convenience of operation. In the use of flush valves equipped with handles there is the tendency of users of the plumbing fixtures to neglect to operate the flush valve due to ignorance of its uses, or a reluctance to touch the handle for sanitary reasons. As a result, the plumbing fixture becomes foul and often inoperative. It has been 'found to be more conducive for a user to actuate the mechanism if it is made more convenient and easy for him to operate it, or if the operating mechanism is arranged in such a position that he ice can hardly ignore or avoid it, and he does not have to use his hands to actuate the flush valve. A foot button actuated mechanism is, therefore, the ideal arrangement for overcoming the foregoing objections.

Since the foot button operating mechanism is preferably located in the floor immediately in front of or adjacent the side of the plumbing fixture, there is the everpresent problem of protecting the same from mop Water, spillage from the fixture or dirt from the floor, which would in time render the mechanism inoperative. Under such conditions, the operating cable connecting the foot button mechanism and the flush valve would become rusted or corroded and result in sticking of the same. Furthermore, the connection of the cable with the flush valve would also be subject to moisture conditions from the flush valve and render the cable inoperative from this end. All the foregoing objections have been over come by the present invention, as will now be pointed out in detail. i

Shown in Fig. l is a typical installation including a water closet bowl 5, located in front of a washroom 4 wall 6, behind which the-re is mounted a flush valve 7.

The concealed flush valve 7, which may be of any Well known type such as the Sloan Royal Flush Valve, is provided with an inlet water supply connection (not shown) and an outlet flush connection 8 passing through erally at 9. This mechanism 9 may be imbedded in the floor 10, either at the front of the closet bowl or on either side of the same, where it is most convenient and accessible to the foot of a person occupying the closet bowl or after use of the same. It will be apparent that instead of the closet bowl 5 as shown, a urinal or other plumbing fixture may be substituted and the flush valve operating mechanism will be arranged in a manner similar to that shown. It will also be clear that the flush valve 7 may be mounted in an exposed position in front of the wall 6 if desired.

The foot operated button mechanism 9 is connected preferably to a conduit or pipe 11, extending rearward under the floor 19 and behind the wall 6 where the conduit terminates a short distance above the floor level. A cable 12 and its cable sheath 44 passes axially through the conduit 11 between the floor mechanism 9 and the flush valve mechanism indicated at 13, whereby an operation of the floor button is effective to cause an actuation of the flush valve to flush the closet bowl in the manner to be pointed out hereafter. For convenience, the foot button operating mechanism 9, the cable 12 and its sheath 44, and the flush valve mechanism 13 may be referred to collectively as a flush valve tripping mechamsm.

Referring now specifically to Fig. 2, the foot button operating mechanism 9 includes a cup-shaped brass casing 15 recessed below the floor level 10 and having a depending shank portion 16 and a pair of lugs 17 formed in the sides thereof. The lugs 17 prevent rotation of the casing 15 when the casing is imbedded in a mounting surface such as the floor 19 and a rubber ring 18 around the casing 15 seals the outside of the casing from accumulation of moisture in case the surrounding floor expands. A circular floor plate 19 threaded into casing 15 may be adjustably raised or lowered to meet the floor level and provides, in effect, a continuation of the casing 15. Threaded to the inside diameter of plate 19, by means of a spanner wrench set in holes 21, is a floor button guide ring or button restraining member 20 which protrudes slightly above the floor plate 19. The threaded connection between the button restraining member 20' and floor plate 19 provides means for adjustably moving the button restraining member 21? into and out of the casing to thereby maintain the outer periphery of member flush with the mounting surface. The foot operated floor button '22 is made cup-shaped and protrudes upward slightly from the guide ring 20 where it is readily accessible to be stepped upon and pressed downward. The guide ring 20 limits the upward movement of operating button 22 by means of the cooperating shoulder 23 in guide ring 20 and rib member 27 in button 22. With the above construction, access to the interior of the mechanism is readily accomplished by simply removing the guide ring 20. A plug 24- is threaded into the underside of button 22 by means of a Wrench on the hex head 28 of the plug and a set screw 25 holds the adjusted position of the button 22 with respect to the plug. The bottom end of plug 24 has a projection 26 formed in it as shown. The floor plate 19, guide ring 20 and foot button 22 are preferably made of a metal having a high nickel content in order to resist wear and corrosion when they are exposed in the floor.

Arranged in the bottom of casing 15 there is a cable holding nut 30 having a hex head 29 formed in the sides thereof for threading it axially into the casing and shank. A sealing washer 31 prevents leakage through the threaded connection of the cable nut 30 from the interior of the casing 15. The cable nut '30 also has a ring 38 formed therein to serve as a sliding supporting guide for the push rod 32 of the cable 12 extending downward through the center of the cable nut. The cable nut 30 also serves to support a flexible rubber diaphragm 33 at its periphery. This diaphragm 33 is dish-shaped and has a relatively thick periphery 34 held in place by the rolled over edge 35 of the cable nut 30. A washer 36 clamped on one side of the diaphragm edge 34 by edge 35 helps to clamp the diaphragm outer edge in place. Carried at the center point of diaphragm 33 is a wear resistant contacting button 37, one end of which is in contact with the bottom end piece 26 of plug 24 and the other end in abutting relationship with the push rod 32 of the cable 12.

The cable nut 39 serves the additional purpose of holding the end of the cable onto the casing 16. This is attained by means of a split washer 40 clamped by cable nut 30 to a shoulder 41 formed in the bottom of casing 16 and which washer 41 in turn encircles a groove formed in the end of sleeve member 42. The push rod 32 is slidable within the sleeve 42. A second sleeve 43 is press fitted inside of sleeve 42 but is of shorter length and is fitted over the end of a cable sheath 44 within which the entire length of the cable 12 is slidable back and forth. All of the sleeves 42, 43 and 44 are crimped together as at 45. In essence, the crimp 45 anchors sheath 44 to the casing. The foregoing arrangement is such that any downward movement of the push rod 32 pushes the cable 12 attached thereto, downward within the cable sheath 44 until the bottom end of diaphragm button 37 is stopped by its engagement with the bottom of cable nut 30. The cable 12 and sheath 44 may be made up of a combination of smooth spirally wrapped wires and flat strands to provide flexibility to bending, resistance to stretch and compression, and practically no lost motion or backlash.

The thin walled conduit 11 preferably encloses and protects the cable 12 and its sheath 44 and extends from the bottom of the casing 15 through the floor 10 and upwards for a short distance above the floor level, as seen in Fig. l. The connection of the conduit 11 to the casing shank 16 is made by a fitting 46 threaded into the bottom end 16 of casing 15 and a clamping nut 47 holding the conduit 11' rigidly onto the fitting 46.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 3 which illustrates the cable coupling mechanism 13 on the flush valve 7, this end of the cable 12 and sheath 44 are terminated in a sleeve member 50 with the sliding push rod' 51 on the end of cable. 12, projecting therethrough. Push rod 51 is held in place in the cup-shaped casing 52 by the threaded nut 53 and split washer 54 surrounding a groove in sleeve 50. The casing 52 is threaded internally for accommodation of a bushing 55 placed across the open end of the casing. Both the casing 52 and bushing 55 have flanged outer edges which are arranged to be clamped together as shown at 57 and with a suitable sealing gasket, by the coupling nut 56 threaded onto the opening in the flush valve body 7. The foregoing provides an easily assembled arrangement for securely holding the end of the cable and assembly 13 to the flush valve 7.

Since flushing water at relatively high pressures flows through the flush valve 7 whenever it is operated, it is important that no leakage occurs through the coupling assembly 13 which could render the cable 12 inoperative to perform its function of actuating the flush valve. Moisture seeping on the cable and its sheath could cause the cable to corrode or stick and possibly break,.rendering the arrangement inoperative. Accordingly a novel and effective arrangement is provided for preventing such leakage at this end of the cable. This includes a flexible diaphragm 58 placed across the interior of casing 52 with the outer edge of the diaphragm clamped toa shoulder formed in the casing 52 by the ring member 59. The ring 59 is pressed against the outer edge of the diaphragm by the bushing 55 when the bushing is threaded into the end of casing 52 as shown. At its axis diaphragm 58 carries a contact button 61! which is engaged at one side by push rod 51 fastened to" the end of the cable 12, while at the other side it contacts the head 61 of plunger rod 62. Plunger rod or valve tripping member 62 is slidable in an axial opening formed in bushing 55 and has a restoring spring 63 extending between the bushing 55 and its head 61. A sealing means in the form of a packing nut 64 and packing material 65' is' arranged on the front end of bushing 55 and around plunger rod 62. This prevents leakage along the plunger 62 to the inter'or of the casing 52 while the diaphragm 58 prevents moisture from entering the cable 12 and its sheath 4 5-. In the event that leakage does enter the interior of casing 52 a series of holes 66 in the sides of. the casing and ring 59 diverts the leakage outside of the casing before it can reach the diaphragm.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the cable and its sheath are reliably protected from moisture or leakage both at the end where the foot button mechanism is located, and at the other end where the cable is attached to the flush valve. Its reliable operation is therefore insured under extended periods of usage and under the most adverse conditions of environment.

In the operation of the mechanism the foot button 22 is momentarily stepped upon by the user when the water closet is to be flushed. Downward pressure of the foot button 22 causes the projection 26 of plug 24 to press against diaphragm button 37, resulting in the diaphragm 33 flexing downward. Button 37 contacts the end of push rod 32 which is thereby forced downward within sleeve 42. Since cable 12 is attached to push rod 32 the whole length of cable 12 is slid downward within the cable sheath 44. The movement is transmitted by the cable 12 directly to the push rod 51 at the flush valve which in turn contacts diaphragm button 60 on one side, while the other side of the button 60 pushes against the head 61 of plunger rod 62 compressing the spring 63. The extent of movement of the cable 12 is limited when the head 61 of plunger rod 62 engages the end 67 of bushing 55. By suitable adjustment of plug 24 within foot button 22 the entire linkage of cable and associated parts is kept taut and to the correct adjustment length for reliable operation within the limited movement pointed out. The forward projection of the plunger rod 62 as shown on dotted lines in Fig. 3 results in its engagement with the bottom end of the tilting relief valve 70 which is carried by the flush valve operating mechanism 71. In the well known manner as in the Sloan Royal Flush Valve, the tripping of the relief valve 70 causes the flush valve to operate and pass a metered quantity of water through the valve 7 and connecting pipe 8 into the water closet bowl to cleanse the same. Releasing the foot button 22 results in the spring 63 restoring all the parts to their normal position as illustrated. In the event the foot button is not released immediately but is held depressed so the plunger rod 62 is held extended, the relief valve stem 70 telescopes and moves downward on top of the plunger rod 62 so that the flush valve moves through its complete cycle of operation and shuts oif regardless.

In Fig. 4 there is shown a modification of the coupling arrangement of the casing 52 on the flush valve body. In this arrangement no sealing diaphragm 58 such as in Fig. 3 is used, but instead reliance is placed upon the good sealing qualities of the packing material 65 and its nut 64 on bushing 55. As an additional precaution the openings 66 around casing 52 will divert any moisture from entering cable 12 and its sheath 44.

It is to be pointed out that the invention may take many forms other than that specifically shown and described, and it is therefore to be understood that the specific arrangement and parts shown in the drawing have been presented only by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, and it is therefore desired that the invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A longitudinal adjustable flush valve tripping mechanism for actuating a flush valve associated with a plumbing fixture, such as a urinal, water closet bowl or the like, from an actuating location remotely located from the flush valve, said longitudinally adjustable tripping mechanism including, in combination, an elongated, flexible operating cable slidable within a sheath, a casing constructed and arranged to be mounted flush with a mounting surface such as a floor, said casing having openings at its upper and lower ends, an adjustable button restraining member received in the upper opening of the casing and means for adjustably moving the restraining member into and out of the casing to thereby maintain the outer periphery of said restraining member in a desired position such as flush with the mounting surface, an operating button slidably received within and extending outwardly from the adjustable restraining member, sealing means comprising a diaphragm having the same general characteristics as to fiexure as rubber overlying the bottom opening in the casing and means for securing the diaphragm to the casing to effectively seal the top and bottom openings from one another, anchoring means for securing one end of the sheath to the casing and for maintaining one end of the cable in alignment with and generally transversely positioned with respect to the diaphragm, said button having a projection generally aligned with said one end of the cable on the opposite side of the diaphragm whereby tripping pressure on the button will be transmitted through the projection and diaphragm to the said one end of the cable, a second casing having a passage extending therethrough constructed and arranged to be secured to an opening in a flush valve, a valve tripping member slidably received in one end of thepassage and projecting outwardly therefrom into the interior of the flush valve, a seal between the tripping member and the second casing, means for securing the other end of the sheath to the second casing so as to maintain the other end of the cable generally aligned with said tripping member whereby depression of the button will cause the tripping member to trip the flush valve,'and a spring biased to urge the tripping member out of tripping engagement with the flush valve upon release of tripping pressure on the button.

2. The longitudinally adjustable flush valve tripping mechanism of claim 1 further characterized by and including a second diaphragm, said second diaphragm extending across the interior of the second casing and fastened to the second casing so as to seal 01f communication between the ends of the passage and being positioned between the tripping member and the other end of the cable so that moisture entering the second casing from the flush valve is denied access to the cable.

3. The longitudinally adjustable flush valve tripping mechanism of claim 1 further characterized in that a plurality of drain holes are formed in the wall of the second casing so that any water entering said second casing from the flush valve is drained away before it can contact the cable.

4. The longitudinally adjustable flush valve tripping mechanism of claim 1 further characterized in that the diaphragm engaging projection of the button is longitudinally adjustable to further take up slack in the cable and compensate for repositioning of the adjustable button restraining member.

5. The longitudinally adjustable flush valve tripping mechanism of claim 1 further characterized by and including a wear resistant contacting button extending through the diaphragm and positioned to be contacted, on one side, by the button projection and, on the other side, by the one end of the cable.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 916,758 Murphy Mar. 30, 1909 1,035,849 Bergens Aug. 20, 1912 1,402,771 Johns Jan. 10, 1922 1,589,353 Bock June 22, 1926 1,620,230 Renholdt Mar. 8, 1927 1,739,408 Medrano et al. Dec. 10, 1929 1,851,226 White Mar. 29, 1932 1,984,950 Steen Dec. 18, 1934 2,083,937 Begg June 15, 1937 2,185,067 Sholes Dec. '26, 1939 2,228,811 Bentin Jan. 14, 1941 2,398,149 Mullett et a1. Apr. 9, 1946 2,633,141 Russell Mar. 31, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS I 35,291 Netherlands Apr. 15, 1935 868,877 1953 Germany Mar. 2, 

